Book binding assembly

ABSTRACT

A book binding assembly in the form of a stack of hardcovers for making hardcover books, with the hardcovers having pressure sensitive adhesives on both sides for securing a cover wrap onto the hardcovers. Liner sheets are disposed over the upper hardcover and intermediate the hardcovers of the stack to protect the various adhesive elements. In addition, the liner sheets possess attributes which enable an end user to accurately apply a cover wrap to the hardcover on which the liner sheet is disposed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally related to the field of book bindingand in particular to providing hardcover assemblies for books suitablefor easy mounting of cover wraps.

2. Description of Related Art

Binding books utilizing desktop binding machines has become popular.Such books are frequently made using soft bound books incorporated intohardcovers which results in a very realistic simulated hardcover book. Afinal step in finishing hardcover bound books involves covering the bookwith a cover wrap which is frequently custom printed. It is importantthat the cover wrap be properly and accurately installed since minormisalignments can significantly detract from the appearance of the finalproduct. U.S. Pat. No. 7,452,172 entitled METHOD OF MAKING AND APPLYINGA HARDCOVER OVERWRAP AND GUIDE APPARATUS (hereinafter the ‘172 patent)discloses one approach for applying hardcover over-wraps (sometimesreferred to herein as “cover wrap”) to a hardcover. The contents of the‘172 patent are fully incorporated herein by reference.

As can be seen in the ‘172 patent (see FIGS. 18 - 27 ) a guide 60 isused to assist in accurately securing a cover wrap 80 to a hardcoverbook. Although this approach has been found to be successful, a userdoes not always have access to binding apparatus such as guide 60. Aswill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of thefollowing Detailed Description of the Invention together with thedrawings, the present invention enables an accurate application of acover wrap so as to produce an attractive book without the need forspecial tools such as guide 60.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A book binding assembly made up of a stack of identical hardcovers, witheach of the hardcovers having an outer wrap layer of pressure sensitiveadhesive on one side and an inner wrap layer of pressure sensitiveadhesive on the other side is disclosed. Each of the outer wrapadhesives is covered by an identical liner sheet, with each liner sheetalso covering the inner wrap adhesive disposed above the liner. Thus,the outer and inner wrap adhesives are protected by the liner sheets.

In addition, the liner sheets possess attributes which enable the sheetsto be used to provides accurate placement of an cover wrap onto theunderlying hardcover. Such attributes can include, for example, theposition of the liner sheet over the underlying hardcover. As a furtherexample, attributes can include the dimensions of the liner sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view one embodiment of a bookbinding assembly in a stackshowing a liner sheet on top.

FIG. 2 is side view of the FIG. 1 assembly.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the FIG. 1 assembly showing liner sheet foldedso as to expose a portion of the underlying adhesive on the hardcover.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the FIG. 3 assembly.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the FIG. 1 assembly showing a cover wrap overthe liner sheet, with the under lying liner sheet still folded.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the FIG. 5 assembly.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the FIG. 1 assembly showing the cover wrappartially attached to the hardcover, with the liner sheet serving as analignment guide.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the FIG. 7 assembly.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the FIG. 1 assembly showing final removal of theliner sheet while maintaining proper alignment of the cover wrap withthe hardcover.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the FIG. 9 assembly.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the FIG. 1 assembly showing the cover wrapsecured to the upper surfaces of the hardcover

FIG. 12 is a side view of the FIG. 10 assembly.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the FIG. 1 assembly with the covered hardcoverbeing lifted from the stack.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the FIG. 13 assembly.

FIG. 15 shows the FIG. 13 assembly flipped over revealing the unattachededges of the outer wrap.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the FIG. 15 assembly.

FIG. 17 is a partial view of an edge of a hardcover with a portion of aliner sheet extending past the edge.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the FIG. 15 hardcover showing the coveringprocess completed.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the FIG. 18 hardcover.

FIG. 20 is a top view of another embodiment of a bookbinding assembly ina stack showing a liner sheet over a hardcover.

FIG. 21 is another top view of the FIG. 20 assembly with a fold formedin the liner sheet to assist in aligning an outer wrap over thehardcover.

FIG. 22 is further top view of the FIG. 20 assembly with another fold inthe liner sheet to expose a portion of the hardcover adhesive.

FIG. 23 is a still further top view of the FIG. 20 assembly showing acover wrap disposed in the fold to assist in aligning the cover wrapover the hardcover.

FIG. 24 is a top view of a further embodiment of a bookbinding assemblyin a stack showing a liner sheet over a hardcover.

FIG. 25 is a top view of the FIG. 24 assembly showing the liner sheetpulled partially back to expose a segment of adhesive on the hardcover.

FIG. 26 is a top view of the FIG. 24 assembly showing a cover wrapsecured to the exposed adhesive segment of FIG. 25 thereby fixing thecover wrap alignment on the hardcover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a stack 30 of eightcover assemblies, with each cover assembly including a hardcover 32 andassociated liner sheet 34. Each hardcover includes front and rear coverpieces 32 a and 32 b and an intermediate spine piece 32 c. A hingingelement (not depicted), secures the three pieces 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c toform a hardcover. The outer surface of the hardcover are covered with athin layer of pressure activated adhesive (not designated) referred toas the outer wrap adhesive. This adhesive functions to secure a coverwrap 38 (see FIG. 9 , e.g.) to the outer side of the hardcover.Typically, the cover wrap 38 includes a title and other graphics whichare preprinted. The inner surface of the hardcover 32 includes a band 46(FIG. 15 ) of heat activated inner wrap adhesive which extends aroundthe periphery of the hardcover. This adhesive is sometimes referred toas the inner wrap adhesive and functions to secure the wrapped edges ofthe cover wrap to the inner surfaces of the hardcover. It is anticipatedthat stack 30 would be mass produced and sold to an end user who wouldcomplete the book making process including the addition of a cover wrapas will be described.

As will be seen, once an end user has applied the cover wrap to theouter surface of the hardcover 32, the edges of the cover wrap arefolded around the edges of the cover sheet and held in place by the fourbands 46 of inner wrap adhesive. Preferably, the edges of the hardcoverare also covered with pressure sensitive adhesive which functions tofurther secure the cover wrap folded around those edges (FIG. 17 ).

A special liner sheet 34 is disposed over the cover adhesive of each thehardcovers in the stack in order to, among other things, protect thecover adhesive from any unintended adhering. As is common with all linersheets, a coating on the sheets prevents the sheets from stronglyadhering to the pressure sensitive adhesive. However, there is someadhesion so that a selected position of the liner sheet on theunderlying hardcover is maintained. A further liner sheet, substantiallyidentical to the other liner sheets in stack 30, is disposed below theupper hardcover, contacting the inner wrap adhesive 40 of the upperhardcover. Thus, the inner wrap adhesive is further protected from anyunintended adhering. In addition, the further liner sheet is disposedover the cover adhesive of the second hardcover 32 disposed immediatelybelow the further liner thus protecting that adhesive also. Thisarrangement continues for the remainder of the stack 30, with the lastliner being disposed intermediate the last hardcover and then the bottom36 of a shipping container. Since the various layers of pressuresensitive adhesive are somewhat tacky notwithstanding the presence ofthe liner sheets, the entire stack 30 will form a single integral unitwhich makes it convenient for shipping and handling by the end user.

In addition to the functions described above of the liner sheets 34,such sheets provide an important additional function. The liner sheetsare configured to assist the end user to achieve accurate placement of acover wrap on a hardcover without the aid of alignment tools such asguide 60 disclosed in the ‘172 patent. In one embodiment as shown inFIGS. 1 - 12 , the liner sheets are dimensioned to track thosedimensions of a wrap sheet designed to fit the hardcover on which theliner sheet is disposed. The wrap sheet is sized to extend over theouter cover of the hardcover and then around the edges of the hardcoverand then over the pressure sensitive inner wrap adhesive 40 (FIGS. 15and 17 ) bands disposed on the inner surface of the hardcover 32.

Some details regarding the manner in which a cover wrap, and hence aliner sheet 34 in this embodiment, wraps around one edge of a frontcover 32 of a hardcover are depicted in FIG. 17 . In this case the totallength L of the hardcover is measured normal to the spine and the totalwidth W is measured in a direction parallel to the spine An appropriatecover wrap should have a length L plus twice the distance X needed towrap the cover around the opposite edges of the hard cover. Distance Xis equal to the sum of the thickness T of the hardcover (ignoring thethickness of the thin layers of adhesive) and distance E, the width ofthe inner wrap adhesive band 40 extending over the interior surface ofthe hardcover, such as front cover 32 a. Thus, the length L1 of linersheet 34 (FIG. 1 ) should be L + 2X or L + 2T + 2E taking into accounttwo edges. Similarly, the width W1 of the liner sheet (FIG. 1 ) shouldbe W + 2T + 2E. Note that during the manufacturing process, the linersheets 32 are positioned on the hardcovers so that the liner sheetsextend past the edges of the hardcovers by distance X on all four sides.The slight tackiness of the pressure adhesive will hold these twoelements in place. In this embodiment, the liner sheet 34 is positionedon the hardcover at the final desired location of cover wrap, as will bedescribed.

The process for accurately attaching a cover wrap to a hardcover willnow be described. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , at this point the topmost hardcover remains on the stack thereby providing a stable workingplatform. The end user separates a portion of the liner sheet 34 a fromthe underlying outer wrap adhesive on the front cover 32 a of thehardcover. The lifted section 34 a of the liner sheet is folded down asshown in FIG. 4 against the remainder of the liner sheet therebyexposing a portion of adhesive covered hardcover 32 a.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , a properly sized cover wrap 38 ispositioned over the liner sheet, including folded section 34 a. Careshould be taken not to allow the cover wrap to contact the exposedadhesive during this alignment. Note also that the alignment preferablytakes place at an end of the cover wrap opposite the exposed adhesive,such as the edges designated by arrows 42 a and 42 b. Once therespective edges of the cover wrap and the liner sheet are carefullyaligned with one another, the desired relative position of the coverwrap and liner sheet (and thus the hardcover) is achieved.

With the wrap and liner sheet held in place by one hand, the second handis free to press down in the area of the cover wrap indicated by arrow44 of FIG. 8 . At this point, the correct relative position of the coverwrap and the hardcover is secured by the exposed adhesive disposed onthe front cover 32 a of the hardcover. The user then removes theremaining portion of the liner sheet 34 by pulling on the sheet in thearea indicated by arrow 48 of FIG. 9 . Next, the user presses the linersheet against the newly exposed adhesive on the hardcover, takingspecial care in the spine area as indicated by arrow 50 of FIG. 12 .Note that this point, the hardcover is still positioned on the stackthereby maintaining a stable work surface. Care is taken to ensure thatall regions of the cover wrap are smoothly pressed against thehardcover. A small hand tool can be use to assist in this smoothingprocess.

At this point the hardcover/cover wrap arrangement is lifted away fromstack 30, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , with the underlying liner sheet34 minimizing the force required. The arrangement is then flipped overand placed on a flat surface as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 . The fouredges of the cover wrap are then manually folded around the respectiveedges of the hardcover and secured in place by the various sections ofthe inner wrap adhesive 40. This final process is well known in the art.One approach is to press one edge of the hardcover, along with thesection of the adjacent cover wrap, against a flat surface and thenrotate the hardcover so as to partially fold the cover wrap around thehardcover edge. Note that the four chamfers 38C (FIG. 5 ) located in thecorners of the cover wrap facilitate this folding and provide thedesired finished look. The user then manually finishes the wrap aroundprocess until the edge of the cover wrap is covering the associatedinner wrap adhesive 40 segment. These steps are repeated for theremaining three hardcover edges thereby completing the accurate securingof the cover wrap 38 to the hardcover 32 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19which show the final hardcover 56. As before, no special tools, otherthan possibly a small hand held smoothing tool, are required to completethe process.

It can be seen that the above-described combination of hardcovers andliner sheets results in a binding product that allows for the productionof an attractive hardcover book without the use of special tools, withthe possible exception of the actual binding itself. Even in that case,well known techniques allow the binding to be carried out with onlybasic tools. The disclosed liner sheets provide not only the function ofprotecting the various pressure sensitive adhesives on the hardcoversfrom unintended adhesion, but also the function of guiding an end userin accurate placement of a cover wrap over the hardcover. To this end,the liner is configured to include certain attributes to assist inachieving this end. In the above-described embodiment, these attributesinclude certain dimensions of the hardcover such as the length L andwidth W. Those dimensions may also include values T and E as alsodescribed above. In addition, it can be seen that the position of theliner sheet over the hardcover during manufacture is an attribute of theliner sheet which also contributes to the proper alignment of the coverwrap and the hardcover.

A further embodiment hardcover 32 and associated liner sheet 58 is shownin stack form in FIGS. 20 and 21 . Liner sheet 58 has a generallyrectangular form, with a notch 60 located in one corner. The liner sheetincludes a fold line 58A which is spaced a distance WF from an oppositeedge of the sheet. The liner sheet can be actually folded along line 58Aduring manufacture or perforations can be provided to assist in foldingalong the line by the end user. Distance WF is the same value aspreviously described distance W1, namely W + 2T + 2E where W is againthe width of the hardcover and T and E are, respectively, the thicknessof the hardcover and the width of the inner wrap adhesive band 40 asshown in FIG. 17 . The length LN of liner sheet 58 is not criticalprovided the liner sheet extends past the edge of the underlyinghardcover so as to cover the cover adhesive and so as to provide anregion so that a user can grip the end of the sheet. Note that line 60Crepresents an ideal location to fold an end of the liner sheet to form aflap 66. The location of line 60C is not critical, but is ideallyslightly offset from notch edge 60 b so as to facilitate various foldingsteps. Note that fold line 58A is preferably aligned with edge 60 a ofnotch 60. Liner 58 is positioned over the hardcover, and held in placethere by the slightly tacky adhesion between the liner sheet and thepressure sensitive adhesive, during manufacture so that the distancebetween edge 62 a of the liner sheet and the edge of the hardcover isvalue X or E + T (FIG. 17 ). The distance between edge 62 b of the linersheet and the edge of the hardcover is also set during manufacture tovalue X.

In order to apply a cover wrap 38, the end user leaves the top linersheet 58 and underlying hardcover on the top of the stack so that, onceagain, the stack will provide a stable work surface. In the event thatthe liner sheet was not folded during manufacture, the end usercarefully folds the liner, preferably using perforations located alongline 58A, to produce a flap member 64 as shown in FIG. 21 . Next, theend of liner sheet is folded near line 60C to reveal a section ofadhesive located on the outer surface of the hardcover The resultantflap 66 is tucked under flap 64 as shown in FIG. 22 . Note that theslight displacement between notch edge 64 b and line 60 c (FIG. 20 )keeps flaps 64 and 66 from interfering from one another during thisoperation.

The cover wrap 38 is then positioned on the liner sheet as depicted inFIG. 23 taking care to not allow the sheet to contact the small portionof the exposed hardcover adhesive. The liner sheet is positioned overthe folded flap 66 at this point. A long edge of the cover wrap 38 isthen positioned under flap 64 until the edge is disposed along theentire length of fold line 58A as represented by arrow 68 b. Since theedge of the liner sheet is somewhat wedged in place between flap 64 andthe under lying liner sheet, the liner sheet tends to stay in placewhile permitting lateral movement of the sheet. An edge of the linersheet is then moved laterally until it is aligned with an edge of thehardcover as indicated by arrow 68 a of FIG. 23 . With both locations 68a and 68 b aligned, a correct positioning of the cover wrap 38 over theliner sheet, and hence over the hardcover, is achieved. The user thenmaintains this position by pressing down on flap 64 with one hand. Theuser then, using the other hand, forces that portion of the cover wrapextending over the exposed adhesive down against the adhesive therebysecuring the cover wrap and the hardcover together with the correctalignment. The user then removes the last of the liner sheet so that thereminding hardcover adhesive 32 is exposed. The user then proceeds tocomplete the process of securing the cover wrap as previously describedin connection with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 24 - 26 show a further embodiment of a hardcover/liner sheetarrangement. In this case, the arrangement is manufactured such thatliner sheet 70 is positioned on the hardcover 32 such that edge 70 b ofthe liner sheet is aligned with edge 72 d of the hardcover. Similarly,edge 70 a of the liner sheet is aligned with 72 b of the hardcover. Inorder for the liner sheet to provide the desired guide function withthis position, the liner sheet edge 70 c should extend a distance pastthe hardcover edge 72 a of T + E, where values T and E were previouslyexplained in connection with FIG. 17 . Also, the liner sheet edge 70 dshould extend past the edge 72 c a distance of T + E. Thus, the width WAof liner sheet 70 is substantially equal to W + T + E and the length LAis substantially equal to L + T + E. (As previously noted, values W andL represent the width and length, respectively, of the hardcover.)

As shown in FIG. 25 , the user then exposes a region of the outer wrapadhesive on the hardcover by lifting a section 70A of the liner awayfrom the hardcover. The lifted section forms a flap 70A that is foldedflat against the remainder of the liner. Next, the cover wrap 38 ispositioned over the liner sheet 70 with orthogonal edges of the liner 70b and 70 a being aligned with the corresponding orthogonal edges of thecover wrap (not designated). These alignment points are designated byarrows 74 a and 74 b. Note also that the cover wrap edge extends pastthe corresponding edge 70 a of the liner sheet for this embodiment. Whenachieving this alignment, care must be taken not to contact the exposedadhesive. Once the alignment has been made, the cover wrap is held inplace to maintain the alignment while liner sheet is completely removedthereby exposing the remainder of the adhesive. The cover wrap is thenpresses against the adhesive over the full surface of the hardcover aspreviously described. The edges are then finished as also previouslydescribed thereby completing the process.

As described above, various embodiments of bookbinding assemblies havebeen disclosed which enable an end user to accurately apply an outerwrap to a hardcover without the need for specialized tools such asalignment guides. Although these embodiments have been described in somedetail, it is to be understood that various changes can be made by thoseskilled in the art after reading the above Detailed Description of theInvention together with the drawings without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled) 6.(canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. The book binding assembly ofclaim 4 wherein each of the liner sheets includes a fold line displacedfrom an edge of the liner sheet and about which the liner sheets can befolded, with the fold line comprising one of the attributes of the linersheets.
 10. The book binding assembly of claim 9 wherein each of theliner sheets are folded about the fold line.
 11. The book bindingassembly of claim 9 wherein the first liner sheet is disposed on theouter wrap adhesive of the first hardcover at a predetermined position,with the predetermined position being one the liner sheet attributes.12. The book binding assembly of claim 11 wherein the predeterminedposition results in an edge of the hardcover being aligned with the foldline.
 13. The book binding assembly of claim 12 wherein an distance WFbetween an edge of the first liner sheet and the fold line issubstantially equal to W + 2T + 2E.
 14. The book binding assembly ofclaim 4 wherein the first liner sheet is disposed on the outer wrapadhesive of the first hardcover at a predetermine position such that afirst edge of the liner sheet is aligned with a first edge of thehardcover and a second edge of the liner sheet, adjacent the first edgeof the liner sheet, is aligned with a second edge of the hardcover andwherein a third edge of the liner sheet, opposite the second edge of theliner sheet, extends past a third edge of the hardcover a distance D1and wherein a fourth edge of the liner sheet, opposite the first edge ofthe liner sheet, extends past a fourth edge of the hardcover a distanceD2 and with the predetermined position being one of the liner sheetattributes.
 15. The book binding assembly of claim 14 wherein distancesD1 and D2 are both substantially equal to T + E.
 16. (canceled) 17.(canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. The book binding assembly of claim 17wherein each of the liner sheets includes a fold line about which theliner sheets can be folded, with the fold line comprising one of theattributes of the liner sheets.
 20. The book binding assembly of claim19 wherein each of the liner sheets are folded about the fold line. 21.The book binding assembly of claim 17 wherein the plurality of linersheets are each disposed on the outer wrap adhesive of one of thehardcovers at a predetermine position such that an first edge of theliner sheet is aligned with a first edge of the hardcover and a secondedge of the liner sheet, adjacent the first edge of the liner sheet, isaligned with a second edge of the hardcover and wherein a third edge ofthe liner sheet, opposite the second edge of the liner sheet, extendspast a third edge of the hardcover a distance D1 and wherein a fourthedge of the liner sheet, opposite the first edge of the liner sheet,extends past a fourth edge of the hardcover a distance D2, withdistances D1 and D2 both being substantially equal to T + E. 22.(canceled)
 23. A method of applying cover wraps to hardcovers comprisingthe following: (a) providing a book binding assembly including (i) aplurality of substantially identical liner sheets, with the liner sheetspossessing orthogonal edges; (ii) a plurality of substantially identicalhardcovers, with the hardcovers comprising a front cover piece, a backcover piece and a spine piece with the front cover, back cover and spinepieces interconnected together, with the hardcovers including a frontlayer of adhesive disposed on a front side of the hardcover and a rearadhesive disposed on a back side of the hardcover, opposite the frontside, with a first one of the liner sheets disposed over a first one ofthe hardcovers and contacting the front layer of adhesive of the firsthardcover and with a second one of the liner sheets disposedintermediate the first hardcover and a second one of the hardcovers andcontacting the rear adhesive of the first hardcover and the front layerof adhesive of the second hardcover; (b) centering a first cover wrap onthe first hardcover by aligning the orthogonal edges of the first linersheet with respective orthogonal edges of the first cover wrap: and (c)securing the first cover wrap to the first hardcover.
 24. The method ofclaim 23 wherein the securing includes: (a) partially separating thefirst liner sheet from the first hardcover so as to expose only aportion of the front layer of adhesive on the first hardcover; (b)subsequent to the centering, partially securing the first cover wrap tothe first hardcover only by way of the exposed portion of the frontlayer of adhesive on the first hardcover; (c) completely separating thefirst liner sheet from a remainder of the front layer of adhesive on thefirst hardcover; and (d) further securing the first cover wrap to thefirst hardcover by way of the remainder of the front layer of adhesiveon the first hardcover; and (e) completing the securing by wrappingportions of the first cover wrap around edges of the first hardcover sothat the portions of the first cover wrap are secured by the rearadhesive on the first hardcover.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein thecompletely separating includes removing the entire first liner sheetfrom the first hardcover in a single piece.
 26. The method of claim 24wherein the partially separating includes folding a portion of the firstliner sheet away from the first hardcover to create a folded portion ofthe first liner sheet and wherein the partially securing includespositioning the first cover wrap over the folded portion of the firstliner sheet and over the exposed portion of the front layer of adhesive.27. The method of claim 25 wherein, subsequent to the completelyseparating, removing the first hardcover from the bookbinding assembly,leaving the second liner sheet on the bookbinding assembly.
 28. Themethod of claim 23 wherein in the providing, the liner sheets of thebookbinding assembly are centered with respect to the hardcovers of thebookbinding assembly.
 29. The method of claim 28 wherein the hardcovershave a width W, a length L and a thickness T and the rear adhesive onthe hardcovers extends a distance E from edges of the hardcover, whereinthe liner sheets have a width W + T + E and a length L + T + E so that,in the providing, the liner sheets extend a distance T + E past edges ofthe hardcovers.
 30. A method of applying cover wraps to hardcoverscomprising the following: (a) providing a book binding assemblyincluding (i) a plurality of substantially identical liner sheets; (ii)a plurality of substantially identical hardcovers, with the hardcoverscomprising a front cover piece, a back cover piece and a spine piecewith the front cover, back cover and spine pieces interconnectedtogether, with the hardcovers including a front layer of adhesivedisposed on a front side of the hardcover and a rear adhesive disposedon a back side of the hardcover, opposite the front side, with a firstone of the liner sheets disposed over a first one of the hardcovers andcontacting the front layer of adhesive of the first hardcover and with asecond one of the liner sheets disposed intermediate the first hardcoverand a second one of hardcovers and contacting the rear adhesive of thefirst hardcover and the front layer of adhesive of the second hardcover;(b) centering a first cover wrap on the first hardcover utilizing thefirst liner sheet; (c) securing the first cover wrap to the firsthardcover; (d) centering a second cover wrap on the second hardcoverutilizing the second liner sheet; and (e) securing the second cover wrapto the second hardcover.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the securingthe first cover wrap includes: (a) partially separating the first linersheet from the first hardcover so as to expose only a portion of thefront layer of adhesive on the first hardcover; (b) subsequent to thecentering of the first cover wrap, partially securing the first coverwrap to the first hardcover only by way of the exposed portion of thefront layer of adhesive on the first hardcover; (c) completelyseparating the first liner sheet from a remainder of the front layer ofadhesive on the first hardcover; and (d) further securing the firstcover wrap to the first hardcover by way of the remainder of the frontlayer of adhesive on the first hardcover; and (e) completing thesecuring by wrapping portions of the first cover wrap around edges ofthe first hardcover so that the portions of the first cover wrap aresecured by the rear adhesive on the first hardcover and wherein thesecuring the second cover wrap includes: (a) partially separating thesecond liner sheet from the second hardcover so as to expose only aportion of the front layer of adhesive on the second hardcover; (b)subsequent to the centering of the second cover wrap, partially securingthe second cover wrap to the second hardcover only by way of the exposedportion of the front layer of adhesive on the second hardcover; (c)completely separating the second liner sheet from a remainder of thefront layer of adhesive on the second hardcover; and (d) furthersecuring the second cover wrap to the first hardcover by way of theremainder of the front layer of adhesive on the second hardcover; and(e) completing the securing of the second cover wrap by wrappingportions of the second cover wrap around edges of the second hardcoverso that the portions of the second cover wrap are secured by the rearadhesive on the second hardcover.
 32. The method of claim 30 where thecentering of the first cover wrap and the centering of the second coverwrap are carried out with no apparatus other than the respective firstand second liner sheets.
 33. The method of claim 29 wherein thecompletely separating the first liner sheet includes removal of theentire first liner sheet in a single piece and the completely separatingthe second liner sheet includes removal of the entire second liner sheetin a single piece.
 34. The method of claim 30 wherein the liner sheetsand the cover wraps possess orthogonal edges and wherein the centeringof the first cover wrap includes aligning the orthogonal edges of thefirst liner sheet with the orthogonal edges of the first cover wrap andwherein the centering of the second cover wrap includes aligning theorthogonal edges of the second liner sheet with the orthogonal edges ofthe second cover wrap.
 35. The method of claim 34 wherein the hardcovershave a width W, a length L and a thickness T and the rear adhesive onthe hardcovers extend a distance E from edges of the hardcover, whereinthe liner sheets have a width W + T + E and a length L + T + E so that,in the providing, the liner sheets extend a distance T + E past edges ofthe hardcovers.
 36. The method of claim 34 wherein (a) the partiallyseparating the first liner sheet includes folding a portion of the firstliner sheet away from the first hardcover to create a folded portion ofthe first liner sheet and wherein the partially securing of the firstcover wrap includes positioning the first cover wrap over the foldedportion of the first liner sheet and over the exposed portion of thefront layer of adhesive on the first hardcover; and (b) the partiallyseparating the second liner sheet includes folding a portion of thesecond liner sheet away from the second hardcover to create a foldedportion of the second liner sheet and wherein the partially securing ofthe second cover wrap includes positioning the second cover wrap overthe folded portion of the second liner sheet and over the exposedportion of the front layer of adhesive on the second hardcover.